Black and white perceptions of interracial sex: The paradox of passion

Author

Robinson, Charles Frank, II

Date

1990

Advisor

Boles, John B.

Degree

Master of Arts

Abstract

In this work, I make three very important assertions. First, whites were fanatical about keeping black men and white women sexually separated. In the white mind, no contamination of the Caucasian race could result unless white women came into sexual contact with black men. As a result, whites used both lawful and extra-legal methods to keep black men from their white women, despite taking sexual licenses with black women. Second, whites assumed that black men desired white women sexually. This assumption increased white hysteria and strengthened the resolve of whites to keep blacks segregated and subjugated. Finally, although whites assumed that blacks wanted to sexually intermingle, black leaders repeatedly disavowed any desire to do so. Blacks were content with being black and had no aspirations of losing their color or their culture.